Beach was designated as a conservation area on 23rd October 1989. A copy of the full statutory conservation area leaflet and maps - the result of a public consultation process, can now be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.
Setting
Beach is a small Cotswold hamlet situated on the slopes of Lansdown Hill, just to the north-east of Upton Cheyney village. The hamlet nestles quietly in an attractive rural setting and consists of a small group of traditional stone buildings approached by a narrow winding lane and surrounded by fields bordered by mature hedgerows and stone walls. Designation is intended to protect the tranquil rural setting of the hamlet, the important tree groups and the attractive buildings.
Part of the attraction of Beach is the approach to the settlement along the narrow winding country lane which is enclosed by a combination of grass verges, hedgerows and stone walls. Most of the buildings are set back from the lane within their own grounds and are partially screened by boundary walls and hedgerows. The hamlet does not have the same strong sense of built enclosure found in the nearby village of Upton Cheyney, but is more open in character. There is, nevertheless, a sense of enclosure associated with the narrow approaches to the hamlet. Developments which would reduce the enclosure and harm the informal rural character provided by existing hedgerows and walls through the introduction of modern visibility splays will be resisted.
History
It is thought that Beach derives its name from a beech tree that once stood in the hamlet. The present settlement probably grew up around the springs and there is evidence of Roman remains in the area. During the English Civil War in 1643 the Battle of Lansdown was fought in fields surrounding the village.
The hamlet is characterised by free-standing houses and an absence of small domestic scale cottages. The properties tend to be larger in scale and often of three stories in height. They include the substantial Beach House, the Malt House, Wilton Old Farm and a number of farm houses with associated outbuildings. Brittons Farm is one of the earliest buildings in Beach dating from the late 17th century and is particularly attractive with its steeply pitched roof with 2 gable dormers.